‘Startups providing lucrative employment opportunities’
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Feb 22: Drawing attention towards the immense potential of agriculture-based startups in the region, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, today appealed Jammu & Kashmir youth to give up “Sarkari Naukri” mindset.
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“J&K has achieved a significant place in agri startup movement that has enabled more than 3000 local youth to earn in lakhs through lavender startup initiative and several among them have joined this Purple Movement after quitting corporate jobs,” he said while inaugurating 2-day “National Startup Festival”, organized by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, here today.
Encouraging the young minds to recognize their aptitudes and pursue entrepreneurial ventures, rather than solely focusing on Government jobs, the Union Minister emphasized that Jammu & Kashmir’s agri-startup ecosystem is thriving, with lavender cultivation in Bhaderwah, Doda district, putting the region on the global startup map.
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He stressed for greater inclusion of urban areas in agri-startups, with a focus on expanding lavender cultivation and other high-value agricultural ventures.
“We need to understand that startup does not mean IT (Information Technology) only,” he said and added that value addition will come from those sectors, which have remained unexplored so far.
Informing that the National Startup Festival 2025 is a step toward making Jammu & Kashmir a hub of innovation, self-reliance, and economic empowerment, the minister dedicated the festival to the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship and early industry linkages in ensuring startup success.
“In the last 10 years, India has grown from having a handful of startups to about 1.75 lakh, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. The National Startup Festival in Jammu aims to bring this movement to regions that were previously less involved, integrating Jammu and Kashmir into India’s startup growth story,” he said and noted that startups are not only boosting economic growth but also providing lucrative employment opportunities, particularly for women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Dr Jitendra Singh stressed the critical role of industry linkages and market research in ensuring the long-term sustainability of startups, encouraging young entrepreneurs to study market dynamics at the outset.
The Minister also drew attention towards India’s space economy’s rapid growth, attributing its success to collaboration between the public and private sectors. On the education front, Dr Jitendra Singh commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has revamped India’s education system by creating a level playing field and ensuring digital inclusivity. He urged students to spend at least 30 minutes daily learning about Government schemes and leveraging available opportunities.
The Science and Technology Minister also shared that after his guidance an MoU has been signed between AIIMS, IIIM, IIT, IIM, GMC Jammu for sharing co-guide for Postgraduate students for integrated research.
During the festival, Dr Jitendra Singh visited 45 startup stalls, engaging with budding entrepreneurs and students showcasing their innovations. He applauded their efforts in contributing to India’s startup ecosystem and encouraged them to continue innovating.
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